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Retropharyngeal Ganglioneuroma Presenting with Neck Stiffness: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature
Author(s) -
Gary Celeste,
Robertson Hugh,
Ruiz Bernardo,
Zuzukin Vladimir,
Walvekar Rohan R.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.21612
Subject(s) - ganglioneuroma , medicine , biology , genetics , cell culture , neuroblastoma
OBJECTIVEGanglioneuromas rarely occur in the retropharynx with only three cases reported in the current literature. The most common symptom associated with retropharyngeal ganglioneuromas is dysphagia. We report a retropharyngeal ganglioneuroma with an unusual clinical presentation of neck stiffness and pain.STUDY DESIGNCase report and review of literature.METHODSA 42 year old woman presented with incapacitating neck pain and neck stiffness as well as dysphagia. Neurological work up was normal. Imaging revealed a hyper-dense, ill-defined, diffuse right retropharyngeal mass suggestive of a possible nerve sheath tumor with no communication with the cervical spine. Surgical removal was uneventful and associated with a post-operative Horner's syndrome. In follow-up, dysphagia and neck symptoms improved.CONCLUSIONRetropharyngeal ganglioneuromas can occur in a wide age range of patients. Surgical excision via a cervical approach offers definitive therapy but maybe associated with an iatrogenic Horner's syndrome for which the patients should be counseled prior to operative intervention. Neck pain is an atypical symptom that needs to be worked up to rule out a communication with the spinal column prior to surgical removal. Patients must be counseled that atypical symptoms may not completely resolve with surgical treatment.